Feb 20, 2008 1:20 pm US/Eastern
AP: Katz To Seek Top Union Post
TRENTON (AP) ―
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Carla Katz, who once dated New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is running for a top Communications Workers of America post. (File)
AP
A local state worker union president who once dated New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is running for a top Communications Workers of America post.
Carla Katz wants to be vice president of Communications Workers of America's District 1, which represents more than 190,000 members in 327 CWA local unions in New York, New Jersey, New England and eastern Canada.
Katz is seeking to unseat Christopher Shelton, who last year led contract talks with Corzine's administration that resulted in a new state worker contract. Katz opposed that deal because it cut health and pension benefits for state workers.
The contract was approved by workers and the state. "I do, however, believe we need real leadership change in our district to forcefully and successfully stand tough against attacks on our jobs, on our health care benefits, and on our pensions," Katz said in a statement on her Web site.
"In this time of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that we elect leaders who are united in standing up for the rights that we have worked all our lives to earn."
Shelton couldn't immediately be reached for comment and CWA District 1 spokesman Bob Master declined immediate comment.
Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton said the governor's office had no comment.
Rae Roeder, president of CWA Local 1033, which also represents New Jersey state workers, backed Katz's candidacy.
"She has the credentials to lead a union that right now is devoid of leadership," Roeder said.
Katz, 48, dated Corzine from 2002 to 2004 when the Democrat was a U.S. senator.
She received millions of dollars in gifts as the couple ended their relationship, though neither she nor Corzine have disclosed
the gifts.
Republicans have raised ethical questions about whether the two should be permitted on opposite ends of the bargaining table, though Corzine and Katz insisted there was no conflict because Shelton led CWA talks and labor attorneys represented the state.
But Republicans have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to force to Corzine to release e-mails exchanged with Katz during the negotiations to see if they tainted the negotiations. A judge has been reviewing the e-mails but has made no ruling.
If elected at the CWA National Convention in June, Katz would help direct talks on the next state contract 2011.
Corzine, 61, would have to win re-election in 2009 to still be involved in such talks. He has said he probably will seek re-election.
Roeder said she saw no potential problems between Katz and Corzine if Katz was elected to the post.
"She opposes everything he's doing," Roeder said. "She's committed to the things we believe in. That's the important part."
Katz has led the 16,000-member CWA Local 1034 since 1999 and been a member for 26 years, quickly earning a reputation as a tough fighter for union issues. Local 1034 is the largest CWA local in the country.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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